Liverpool youngster Sepp van den Berg believes his loan spell at Preston North End was necessary for his growth
Liverpool youngster Sepp van den Berg is back in Merseyside after an 18-month loan spell with Preston North End, where the defender got plenty of game time. The 20-year-old is now looking forward to being involved with the Reds.
The Dutch national joined Liverpool in 2019. The much sought-after youngster has since then featured just four times for the senior side. He has primarily played for the U23 side in his time at the club.
In the second half of the 2020/21 season, Van den Berg was sent out on loan to Preston. The youngster has since then amassed valuable game time and experience. In an interview with Liverpool’s official website, he reflected on his time at the Lancashire-based club.
“I was there one-and-a-half years. It was a long time. It was great there. I played a lot of games; I think especially for a centre-back it’s important to have game experience. I played against some good teams, a tough league.”
The 20-year-old played in English football’s second tier for 18 months. The Championship’s intense and gruelling schedule is known to be brutal. The non-stop football helped Van den Berg get plenty of minutes on the pitch.
The Dutch national featured prominently for the Deepdale Stadium side. The 20-year-old played in 66 games for Preston. He featured at the centre-back position for the majority of his time but was also deployed in the right-back spot on occasions.
Van den Berg has gained valuable exposure to first-team football and developed his overall game. The player admits that he’s grown physically as well as in other aspects. Now, the 20-year-old is happy to be back in Merseyside.
“I have definitely grown – in size, that’s one thing! But just everything really. It has been a great loan but now I’m happy to be back.”
Liverpool’s backline consists of world-class defenders in Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip. The two formed a formidable partnership for the Reds last season as we lost just two games in the Premier League.
Ibrahima Konate arrived at the club and instantly showed his importance in the squad. The Frenchman’s physicality was on full display in the previous campaign. Joe Gomez is also expected to stay after signing a new deal.
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Liverpool fans will feel the Dutch national can definitely be an option next season for Jurgen Klopp if he stays. Although, the Reds possess world-class centre-backs in the squad. Thus, it’s difficult to envision the youngster getting much game time.
